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Victorians can travel Trans-Tasman again from June 17, Kiwis can return now

The New Zealand government has extended its ban on Victorians using the trans-Tasman quarantine-free travel bubble until Thursday, June 17.

The New Zealand government has extended its ban on Victorians using the trans-Tasman quarantine-free travel bubble until Thursday, June 17.

Melbourne emerged from a two-week lockdown on Friday 11 June, in what is the first zero case day in Victoria since late May.

However, despite the welcome news for Victorians, COVID-19 Minister Chris Hipkins said New Zealand’s pause to “green zone” travel from Melbourne will continue until Thursday, June 17 as a precautionary measure.

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Image: Melbourne Airport/Facebook

New Zealand has begun allowing stranded Kiwis – those who were visiting the state when the lockdown hit – to return to Aotearoa this week.

Jacinda Ardern’s government has issued an exemption for NZ citizens and regular residents to travel home, deeming their fortnight spent in lockdown to be equivalent to a fortnight spent in mandatory isolation.

Returning Kiwis must also produce a negative COVID-19 test result in the 72 hours before their flight.

Other wannabe trans-Tasman travellers and tourists from Melbourne will have to wait until the government lifts its ban, and restarts the bubble on June 17.

“While the overall risk to New Zealand is low, today’s advice from New Zealand public health officials is that the travel pause should continue,” Mr Hipkins said.

“The government is taking a precautionary approach in continuing the pause, which will be reviewed again next Wednesday.”

Anyone that has visited a location of interest in Australia is also ineligible to travel to New Zealand within 14 days of the potential exposure event.

Source: AAP